Food Safety at Farmers Markets

If you need to find me on a Saturday morning, your best chance is to swing by the local farmers market. There’s a high chance I’m there! A trip to the farmers market with my friends has become my favorite Saturday tradition. I always leave excited to build recipes around my fresh produce.

While shopping at a local farmers market, it’s important to be mindful of food safety. Here are a few things to look for when you’re shopping:

• Do vendors have good hygiene? Are their hands, clothes, and booths clean? 
• Ask vendors how their products are made. If you don’t feel okay with their answer, trust your gut and move on.
• How are vendors handling their items? Are they using gloves, tongs, tissues, or other utensils? If they aren’t, that’s a food safety red flag!
• How are fresh meats stored? Are they sitting out in the booth or stored in a separate iced cooler? Buy from vendors that have meats properly stored in coolers.
• Are they following the Cottage Food Law? This law allows people to sell food items prepared in their home without a license or permit. One key thing to look for is labels on food items with the vendor’s name and address, as well as ingredients. Familiarize yourself with regulations before heading to markets so you can keep an eye out! This website from the Mississippi State Department of Health is a great quick reference.

Yes, proper food safety is the vendor’s responsibility, but it’s also the shopper’s responsibility as well. Bring an iced cooler to store foods in if you are going to be away from your home longer than an hour after leaving the market. When you get home, wash your fruits and veggies thoroughly before storing, eating, or cooking. Do your part in making sure your farmers market goodies are safe for everyone to enjoy!

You can find your local and nearby farmers markets by visiting the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce’s website. Make it a goal to visit a few neighboring markets to support several different local farmers and businesses! 

Shoutout to our friends at University of Wyoming Extension and Michigan State University Extension for these great tips!